Sudan’s military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has said the talks taking place in Saudi Arabia with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will have no benefit without a ceasefire.
Al-Burhan’s remarks on Monday come as warring factions hold talks in Jeddah in a bid to end bloodshed that has killed hundreds and triggered a mass exodus.
The United States-backed talks began on Saturday between the army and the rival paramilitary RSF. No progress has been reported so far on the talks, which have focused on the possibility of introducing a lasting ceasefire.
“We can discuss a settlement after we reach a permanent ceasefire in Khartoum,” al-Burhan said in a live phone interview with AlQahera News, warning that war would spread to the rest of Sudan if a division happens in the capital Khartoum.
“The situation is stable in all states except for Khartoum,” al-Burhan was quoted as saying in Egyptian local media outlets.
To avoid being targeted by military forces, he added that members of the “brutal and oppressive” RSF are “seeking shelter in civilian homes and in service centres”.
A Saudi diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP news agency that the discussions have yielded “no major progress”.
“A permanent ceasefire isn’t on the table … both sides believe they are capable of winning the battle,” the diplomat added.
The combatants have previously said they would try to tackle only a ceasefire and humanitarian issues like safe passage. Numerous ceasefires have been violated since the conflict erupted on April 15.
Earlier on Monday, al-Burhan said the army was seeking a peaceful solution but that there could be discussions about a lasting settlement only “after we reach a permanent ceasefire in Khartoum”, where some of the fighting is centred.
(AL JAZEERA)
